British seaside hotels come in for a lot of stick – outdated decor,
second-rate food, service that lurches from the comical to the criminal – so
it’s a rare guest who steps into one of these venerable establishments
without some trepidation.
If we were hoping for reassurance on arrival at St Bride’s Hotel, however, it
is in short supply. A path from an unfinished car park leads through
automatic doors into an anonymous reception, where, to my alarm, I hear Bob
Dylan’s latest in the background.
Now the Bard of Minnesota has his place – Duluth, Minnesota, an unkind critic
might say – but as a musical emissary for an upmarket hotel? A man who has
sung: “Well, I woke up in the morning, there’s frogs inside my socks”?
Fortunately, events quickly take a turn for the better, with a charming staff
member showing us to room 115. Any lingering doubts about St Bride’s claims
to be a “contemporary destination spa hotel” immediately disappear.
The room is delightful, with polished timber floors, ultra-modern bathroom,
flat-screen television, limited-edition prints on the walls and subtle
nautical references – anchor motifs and miniature starfish – that are
amusing, not overwhelming.
Step outside on to a private balcony, and the hotel’s prize asset is revealed:
delightful views across serene Carmarthen Bay to farmland and the winding
coastline beyond.
St Bride’s is a 1960s hotel that has been refurbished with 35 individually
styled rooms. The downstairs Gallery Bar is a wonderful space, with oak
floors, muted tones, and deep leather sofas, but we decided to relax on the
outside deck, watching fishermen returning with their catch to the tiny
harbour.
The hotel’s restaurant serves an excellent choice of contemporary fare with
local seafood featuring strongly. My partner’s sea bream stuffed with fennel
and shallots on a bed of greens (£17.50) was excellent and a beef fillet
with parsley mash (£22.50) kept me happy.
Opening our french windows the next morning delivered a sight that will live
long in the memory: bright autumn sunshine, the still waters of the bay, and
a small fleet of sailing boats setting off for a day’s racing. Breakfast
continued the standard of the previous evening, with excellent coffee,
pastries, a range of breads, fresh fruit and choice of eggs.
St Bride’s Marine Spa offers a range of treatments, and its vitality pool
overlooking the bay certainly looked inviting. I couldn’t resist one final
drink on the deck, however: a contemplative beer in the noonday sunshine
that proved to be just as rejuvenating.
After all, it was St Bride, the 6th-century Irish saint who wrote: “I long for
a great lake of ale; I long for the meats of belief and piety.” Now that’s
something I can imagine the free-wheelin’ Bob Dylan singing.
Bottom line: Les Webb paid £260 for a B&B double.
Sampling the fare: Three-course dinner for two was £74. Wine was £16.
Best thing: Bay views.
Worst thing: The drive home.
Access all areas: Wheelchair-friendly rooms and ramps throughout.
Need to know:
St Bride’s Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, Wales SA69 9NH
01834 812304
www.stbridesspahotel.com
Room: 9 out of 10.
Food: 8 out of 10.
Service: 8 out of 10.
Value: 9 out of 10.
Have you stayed at St Bride’s Spa Hotel? Do you agree or disagree with our
review? Post a Comment using the form below
Having visited the "Terravina" for lunch, I do wonder if your reviewer was known and therefore received special service.
Did he purchase the 4 bottles of wine for example or received the privelage of a glass of each?
The menu was identical on our visit and the Pigeon was certainly not as described being burnt outside and raw inside, One of my guests had tough uneatable Steak, which should have been sent back. The sevice was competent but extremely slow - arrive 12.45 leave at 3.00 for 3 courses!!
Price was certainly not value for money.
B.Sykes, Milford on Sea, Hants
Having just returned from this delightful hotel, I would like to reassure the above readers that the car park was completed and gave a great first impression of what was to come.
On the contrary, I felt as though profit was not on the top of the agenda but a warm Welsh welcome certainly was! Having stayed in other Destination Spa Hotels, I found the prices extremely competitve, indeed some £200 plus difference.
It is worth bearing in mind that this hotel is the only of its kind West of Cardiff and should be compared to the likes of Trensanton and Whatley Manor and not Travelodge as some of the other readers have been unfortunate enough to have experienced!
Cheryl Hamilton-Forbes, London, UK
We upgraded to one of their newly refurbished sea view rooms and enjoyed the view as this hotel is delightfully located overlooking the bay. The room was finished in a modern contemporary design.
The plaudits stop here as I did get the felling that prices were too high for what was on offer. Profit is probably top of the hotel's list rather than 'delighting their customers.'
I seem to remember the food being ok, but somewhat overpriced. Oh, and I note that over two years on they still haven't finished their car park, as it was unfinished when I went there in August 2005.
We enjoyed our stay there but I wouldn't go back unless they dropped their prices a lot or had a very special offer.
Kevin Robinson, Hoddesdon, Herts
We stayed at this pricey hotel and felt that every opportunity was taken to try and screw more money out of us. The food was average but the room was very nice. It rained none stop throughout our stay but that's Wales for you!
carol bellamy, halesowen,
I was interested to read the review of the St Bride's Spa Hotel
in today's travel section, and am delighted that the reviewer
enjoyed their visit; my family were less impressed earlier this
year when we lunched in the Terrace Bar on our daughter Hannah's birthday. Having eventually found ourselves a menu and been brought our drinks (soft drinks unchilled with no ice) we looked forward to lunch only to find Hannah's choice (Chicken Caesar Salad) consisted of a tired looking piece of chicken on a bed of lettuce which on closer inspection was crawling with a number of aphids. The offending dish was removed by the staff but by the time it was replaced the rest
of us had finished eating. No apology was offered at any point and we were charged the full cost of the meal. Despite several attempts at contacting the management by email no reply was received. Very unimpressed!
Julie & Blair Webley, Chesham, UK